Travel

Airport oasis: Best places to recharge during flight stopovers

9 January, 2024 . 0

Flying can be stressful and tiring. Get into the holiday mood early with pampering treatments at these airport wellness depots along the way.

Sydney Airport

Travelling through Sydney? Be prepared to feel the pressure.

Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport has been named the most stressful airport in Oceania, due to delays, parking issues and crowds.

However, it has taken steps to decrease stress with initiatives such as cutting down the number of announcements to reduce noise.

Relax in luxury before your holiday with treatments at La Prairie Art of Beauty Lounge.

Partnering with Heinemann Duty Free, the treatment rooms offer customised spa services.

You can also freshen up in shower facilities at the general check-in area and near gates 31, 51 and 24 (male only) on the departures level.

Changi Airport, Singapore

It may have welcomed more than 30 million passengers in 2022 but you can still find some zen between flights at Changi Airport.

Make the most of your stopover with a refreshing swim in the Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel’s rooftop pool in Terminal 1.

There are shower facilities, and towels are provided.

If swimming is not for you, head to Jewel — a dazzling nature-themed entertainment and retail complex linked to Terminal 1 — for some serious pampering.

Minmed Wellness Collective offers yoga, barre and pilates classes (book in advance).

Then treat yourself to a massage at Natureland or express facial at SkinGo.

Be Relax Spa in the T3 transit terminal also offers wellness and beauty services.

All terminals have showers and rest facilities in the transit lounges, plus great entertainment areas for kids.

Dubai International Airport

Rejuvenate your mind, body and soul and prepare for your next destination at one of the Timeless Spa sanctuaries.

Choose from a wide range of treatments, including a relaxing back massage, reflex therapy or 30-minute facial.

The G-Force Health Club, in the airport hotel, offers hourly access where you can work out or relax in the jacuzzi, sauna or steam room.

Haneda Airport, Tokyo

Watch planes take off from your very own onsen (hot springs and baths) at the Izumi Tenku no Yu spa connected to Terminal 3 (discount available for Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport guests).

Open 24 hours (baths closed 10am to 1pm for cleaning), the hot springs are a blissful way to while away your stopover.

Admire the distant view of Mt Fuji and restore your equilibrium in the dry, steam and stone saunas or just relax on the reclining chairs.

Admission fee includes a face towel, bath towel and access to the entire facility.

Hamad International Airport, Doha

Get a second wind on your long-haul flight stopover in Doha.

Head to the Oryx Airport Hotel’s Vitality Wellbeing & Fitness Centre for access to the 25m pool, gym, hydrotherapy tubs and shower rooms.

Services include deep-tissue massage, hot stone treatments and facials.

You can also smash out a squash game or hit a hole-in-one at the golf simulator.

If you need to stretch out, head for the Sleep ’n Fly sleep lounges in the airport’s transit and duty-free areas (book ahead).

Heathrow Airport, London

You can’t do anything about economy seats on a long-haul flight, but you can feel more limber before you board with a massage or treatment at Be Relax.

The spa offers travellers relaxing and rejuvenating treatments so you begin your journey as refreshed as possible.

The company’s spa spaces can be found at various airports worldwide, so it is worth checking to see if your airport boasts their services.

John F. Kennedy Airport, New York City

After a visit to the city that never sleeps, you may need a wellness boost before you board.

Book yourself some last-minute R&R at Treat Wellness Centre in Terminal 4. Whether it’s virtual yoga and a HIIT fitness session or quiet space for a guided meditation, it is the perfect place to recalibrate after a busy trip.

Treat is also at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport as well as Salt Lake City International Airport.

Dallas Fort Worth Airport, Texas

For the past 10 years, this busy hub has been working hard to claim the title of world’s healthiest airport.

The health and wellbeing options are impressive, with a LiveWell Walking Path to stride on, yoga rooms, Minute Suites to shower and refresh mind and body, and the XpresSpa for treatments.

Calgary International Airport

Revitalise at OraOxygen Spa, in the Marriott In-Terminal Hotel, where you will find services including manicures, pedicures, waxing and facial treatments.

Or enjoy a chair massage, foot massage and oxygen session.

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Written by Charmaine Yabsley.